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Propane Space Heater - Moisture
ash_hammond - 24/10/12 at 03:39 PM

Even though I live in the North i like a warmish place to work.

I plan to spend a few weekends in the garage over the winter months doing some mods.

I would like to use a Propane Space Heater similar to the following:

ebay

From what I understand good ventilation is required when using such a devise to get rid of the moisture created when propane burns.

Is anyone using such as device and have they got a good solution to get rid of the moisure?

If is a cause of putting some sort of fan to extract the moisutre?

Thanks


Ash


mark chandler - 24/10/12 at 04:08 PM

Hello,

I used one for a few years in a "well ventilated" shed, they do put out a lot of heat and moisture, everything went rusty after a few days, you will struggle to remove moisture as fast as these pit the heat in.

My solution was to keep all metal surfaces where possible wrapped and tool drawers shut.

Was nice and warm though


cloudy - 24/10/12 at 04:44 PM

Have you thought about IR halogen heaters? I find them far more effective in poorly insulated garage type spaces... No moisture or fuel to worry about

something like this will easily keep you warm in a garage


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330804503883?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649


motorcycle_mayhem - 24/10/12 at 05:55 PM

That ca. 1.6Kg of water produced per ca. 1Kg of propane has to go somewhere, in my experience it condenses on everything and anything. Unpleasant.
Other combustion products are fairly negligable, depends on the matrix, other factors assisting such as airflow (fan) or static (ceramic core).

If it's a single garage, I really did get it cosy with storage heaters (E7) at my last place. I currently use Halogen heat in my new place, quiet, clean.


rusty nuts - 24/10/12 at 07:55 PM

Another vote for halogen heaters


ash_hammond - 24/10/12 at 10:15 PM

Electric Heaters are not an option unfortunatly!


blakep82 - 24/10/12 at 10:27 PM

quote:
Originally posted by ash_hammond
Electric Heaters are not an option unfortunatly!


the one you linked to above needs electric too though, so you'd be out of luck. there's an electric fan to force the hot air out. without electric though, the flame goes out


ash_hammond - 24/10/12 at 11:04 PM

I have electric but it's used on trust that I wont abuse it. A few strip lights and a drill etc are acceptable. Not running high watt appliances.


mangogrooveworkshop - 25/10/12 at 05:59 AM

Those things are evil and will kill you.
I would get an IR heater and an owl to measure how much power
you use and make a contribution .
What ever you pay it's likely to be way cheaper than paying for gas.
We had one and the air quality goes south very quickly as the oxygen
is gobbled up even with the door open.
Water vapour condensing on every surface Like you took a hose in there
and sprayed everything.
If you have any lung condition do not use these.
Pat


907 - 25/10/12 at 06:13 AM

How about..........


A propane version of the home made "gas bottle" wood burner?


Cut a hole in the top for the chimney, a hole in the lower front for lighting it,
and a big hole in the bottom to let air in and prevent gas build up inside when lighting.
(See, I even think of safety.)

The flue, the longer the better, goes out of the hole where you were thinking of putting a fan.


The burner would mount inside the bottom and could be one of those cast iron jobbies that
builders use to melt tar.

example:- 2.5kw eBay Item

or:- 7kw eBay Item


None of the chopping wood, lighting, and waiting for it to warm up, ash to clear out etc.

and the condensation issue goes right out the window, or in this case, the chimney. Boom boom.



No need to thank me for this stroke of genius.
Paul G


hughpinder - 25/10/12 at 06:31 AM

The only way you can have a heater where you are burning something, and not get condensation, is to have a flue/chimney to take the combustion products outside I'm afraid. Assuming you can put a flue through the wall/roof, a small pot bellied stove isn't too expensive, and you can usually pick up broken pallets etc for the fuel for nothing. Or have a look for 'hunter h45' military type heater (from the usa) that can burn old oil/parafin/diesel/wood .........
Regards
Hugh


Irony - 25/10/12 at 07:29 AM

I have one of those Propane gas fires in the garage and after a reasonable session it would slowly begin to rain in the garage. Very Tedious. I have a old potbellied stove in there now with the chimney running up the inside of the wall at 45 degrees. The stove and the chimney get red hot. I have tack welded fins to the chimney to sink the heat away from it faster. Its a bit like having a very large radiator in the garage.